Cooper’s grandparents, my parents, were a huge part in Cooper’s life. They were there when Cooper was a tiny kitten to a playful cat to the senior boy that many of you have read about. Today, I want to dedicate a post about how much love Cooper’s grandparents gave him and how that love made such an impact on Cooper’s life.

My parents called Cooper their grand kitty, and they treated him with unconditional love.  Cooper loved to welcome his grandparents when they would come over to visit. Cooper was not big fan of being picked up, but if he liked someone, he would hang out in the room with them. If he loved someone, he would sit right next to them. Whenever his  grandparents came over, he would lay right next to them and just give them that kitty gaze of contentment. There was not a Christmas where Cooper did not receive gifts from his grandparents. When my husband and I would go out of town, his grandparents were the only ones we trusted and Cooper would allow to take care of him. Cooper, my husband, and I even moved in with my parents for a few months while we were building our house. Cooper adjusted to the move just like he had lived there his entire life. He even got along with their three dogs. It was the three amigos and Cooper just running around the house and going to the covered and locked porch to check out the outdoor happenings. Over the past few years, we would all have a sleepover to decorate the Christmas tree at my parent house, and, of course, Cooper would be right there too! The picture of Cooper above is at my parents house on one of the Christmas tree decorating sleepovers!

 

My Mom

My Mom was the support system when it came to Cooper. She spent many sleepless nights with Cooper and me. When Cooper had his first seizure in the middle of the night, she came to the emergency clinic and sat with me for the long and anxious wait. She came with us to meet with his doctor after his seizure. She drove with us out of state to see the neurologist and ultimately get the diagnosis of epilepsy. She came to the vet and sat with Cooper and me while he received fluids and treatment for his kidneys. She went with us the emergency clinic again so Cooper could get all-night fluid therapy. She made numerous trips to the vet to pick up medical supplies and prescription food for Cooper while I was recovering from knee surgery. She was with us when I had to decide if Cooper would go through another exploratory surgery to find out where the cancer was in Cooper. Making that decision was tough, but she supported my decision even though the risks were high and the hopes were low. She was with me when the surgeon told me Cooper did in fact have pancreatic cancer. My mom was in the room with Cooper and me when he took his last breath. My mom was with Cooper through it all even to the peaceful end.

My Dad

My Dad was the comic relief when it came to Cooper. He would always bring up the funny stories about Cooper especially when I really needed something to take my mind off of the worries. He drove us to the the out of state clinic where Cooper would get radioactive iodine treatment for his hyperthyroidism only to have to turn back to pick him up because they found a tumor on his pancreas. He sat for hours with me in the waiting room until Cooper was examined. He tried to cheer me up on the long drive home. I did not know if Cooper was going to survive this, but my Dad still found ways to get me to laugh. On another occasion, Dad came to the rescue when I was stuck downtown and could not pick up Cooper from the vet before it closed. He drove to the vet and picked up Cooper, and they waited in the parking lot until I could get there. As I drove in to the parking lot, there was Dad and Cooper in his nice comfy big truck with the air conditioning on so Cooper could stay comfortable. Cooper had the happiest look on his face after he spent some quality time with his Granddad. To this day, my Dad still makes me laugh about the funny stories of Cooper.

In Closing

Cooper’s grandparents have been a part of his life since he was a kitten. They have watched him grow from year to year. They have been there for Cooper and us through the blissful times, through the challenging times , and everything in between. They opened their home and made room for Cooper and us. They trusted my judgment when it came to the medical decisions I made for Cooper. I am sure there were times that they wondered if I had lost my mind, but they respected my choices.  They contributed towards Cooper’s medical care making Cooper’s life a possibility many times over. Without a doubt, my parents made Cooper’s wonderful life possible.

Mom and Dad, you mean the world to me, and you helped me give Cooper the precious and beautiful lifehat he deserved. Cooper knew how special you two were, and he loved you both dearly. Thank you for taking care of Cooper trough the years, and especially in the recent years where his health was a methodical juggling act. Thank you for supporting and loving Cooper. You made it possible for Cooper to live his precious life. You helped give me the gift of the love and joy I had with Cooper. I have so many years of wonderful memories that I cherish with Cooper thanks to your love and support. I love you!